{"id":7153,"date":"2019-07-08T11:49:02","date_gmt":"2019-07-08T09:49:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/besigebreintjies.co.za\/?p=7153"},"modified":"2020-11-23T12:39:07","modified_gmt":"2020-11-23T10:39:07","slug":"how-technology-can-make-your-child-smarter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/besigebreintjies.co.za\/af\/how-technology-can-make-your-child-smarter\/","title":{"rendered":"How technology can make your child smarter"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In recent years children have become more exposed to technology and much has been written about the negative impact it can have on your little one\u2019s mind. While it is true that unsupervised and unlimited screen time can be detrimental to your child\u2019s development, recent studies have shown that exposing children to interactive technology and screen time can actually help develop and improve your child\u2019s learning when used appropriately. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this short article<\/g> we will list the 10 benefits of exposing your child to technology as well as offer tips on how to appropriately get the most out of technology. You can also download this article in PDF format.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefits of exposing your child to technology<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

1. School readiness and cognitive development<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The most\nsignificant role technology can play in early childhood development is to\nincrease a child\u2019s school readiness. Developmentally appropriate computer games\nor apps will increase a child\u2019s readiness for reading and doing math. These\nprogrammes will help your child develop those basic skills which are necessary\nto be successful in school. These skills will also assist children to engage\nsuccessfully in higher-order thinking and applied learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Development of problem-solving skills<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Younger\nchildren are more interested in the short-term goals of games and this is essential\nin problem-solving. Whilst playing a game, children will ponder what will\nhappen next and what will happen if they perform a certain action within the\ngame. This is helpful for math and logical reasoning skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Improve hand-eye coordination<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Interactive\neducational games that require children to follow objects and interact with\nthem can help improve their hand-eye coordination. Hand-eye coordination is\nessential as children begin school when they learn how to write and draw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Language skills show improvement<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The reading\nof e-books or accessing stories online will help children learn new words and\nthe proper ways to pronounce them. Some language development technologies offer\nmultisensory engagement which offers speed and support to the learning process.\nBoost our child\u2019s vocabulary by offering them picture dictionaries and teach\nthem to look for word meanings when they come across an unfamiliar word. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Improvement of capacity for visual attention<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Have you\never noticed how preoccupied your child is while playing on their tablet? That\nis because the are contemplating their next move. Gaming and learning\napplications equip children to pay more attention to details in order to\ncomplete these activities. For instance, while playing with a character, the child\nhas to move the character around while planning their next move. These\nsimultaneous activities train children to pay attention to every detail on the\nscreen in order to achieve the goals of the game. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. The enhancement of social interaction skills<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

When technology\nis used appropriately it can be used in collaboration with other people. Some\nschools in the US give children the opportunities to write and solve problems\ntogether using technology. These children are encouraged to use tech tools to\ncreate projects and to share ideas in groups. This allows them to absorb ideas\nthat equip them with skills necessary in relating with other people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Motivation to complete tasks<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Children\nare encouraged by most apps and computer activities to complete a level in\norder to unlock the next level. These learning games may help create a\nfoundation for children to persist in overcoming challenges, even in the\nphysical world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Dynamic spatial skills<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Educational\nprogrammes and games allow children to develop dynamic spatial skills through\ninteractive screen time. For example: they can learn how a big building may be\ncompared to a cat, or how small a butterfly can be compared to a frog. These\nskills will develop their understanding of the world around them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. Expanding of horizons<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The\ninternet exposes children to things they do not see in their everyday lives.\nFor children living in South Africa seeing snow may never happen. What about\nthe Great Wall of China or a newly discovered animal in the Philippines? These\ndays your child can access information which includes videos, sound clips and\nmuch more. Through this they start to understand that the world is much bigger\nthat what they experience on a day-to-day basis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. Development of talents and other skills<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Interactive\nmedia can be used to explore children\u2019s talents. Exposure to, for example,\nmusic or writing exercises can give parents valuable insight into their\nchildren\u2019s natural talents. Children can get an idea of what skiing looks like\nor be introduced to how a violin sounds and what it looks like when someone is\nplaying it. Pay attention to what your child is interested in \u2013 it may just be\nhis\/ her calling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tips to make sure your children get the most out of new technology<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

1. Limit screen time<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

As parents\nwe all sometimes revert to popping our kids in front of the television or\nhanding them a tablet to buy some time to get some of our own tasks done.\nHowever, it is very important to limit screen time and to mix it with a healthy\namount of other activities such as exercise, playing, reading and human\ninteraction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nAmerican Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n